Dredge pump



Jan. 30, 1962 A. T. CLAY 3,018,736

DREDGE PUMP Filed Jan. 4, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1E 1 5 7 9 4 "Il 6 'Z "4 A" "L m. k A

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INVENTOR.

A RTHUR T CLAY A. T. CLAY DREDGE PUMP Jan. 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1954 INVENTOR. ARTHUR 7'. CLAY 3,018,736 DREDGE PUMP Arthur T. Clay, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Hetherington & Berner Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Jan. 4, 1954, Ser. No. 402,068 3 Claims. (Cl. 103103) This invention relates to dredge pumps and more particularly to pumps of this class for handling large solids and abrasive material without breakage or unduly rapid wear of parts thereof.

Heretofore many different constructions have been evolved in an attempt to overcome the above mentioned problem, but only a relatively small advance has been made.

The problem is accentuated by the fact that the material pumped is normally extremely abrasive and the large solids carried by the pump may cause fracture of metallic parts. Even though liners have been. developed which decrease the abrasive effect, whether comprised of metal or other material, all of the desirable characteristics have not heretofore been provided in a single unit In addition necessary replacement of heavy metal liners at frequent intervals is obviously expensive, not only adding to the initial cost but by reason of the lost time in effecting such replacement.

It should be noted that not the least of the problems encountered is the shock incurred by causing large solids to be moved through a centrifugal pump which transmit shock forces of relatively high values and thus massive and expensive metal parts have been relied upon to accommodate the same.

In the present invention an entirely new concept is availed of to handle materials normally moved by dredge pumps, primarily residing in the provision of a relatively flexible and/ or resilient volute member in place of a rigid metallic construction, which is capableof handling not only large solids but also abrasive materials with notably reduced consequent Wear and virtual elimination of rupture by shock.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a dredge pump arranged to handle both heavy solids and abrasive material, without availing of heavy metal liner units or excessively heavy shell elements and yet be equal ly as eflicient and less costly than presently constructed pumps.

A further object is to construct a pump of the class described including a resilient and/ or flexible volute section.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a volute section in a dredge pump which provides cushioning or shock absorbing qualities, yet is resistant to abrasion and rupture.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a volute section which is readily replaceable as a unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide. a pump having a volute section including an inner resilient selfsupporting member and an outer member equivalent to a shell, the members being spaced apart so as to provide a chamber to receive a fluid therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a resilient volute member, substantially enclosed by a relatively rigid shell, a space being provided therebetween to form a chamber for receiving fluids having different characteristics.

Other and further objects of the invention will be understood from a consideration of the specification appended hereto and shown in the drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical cross-sectional ,view taken through a pump showing the arrangement of the parts ZItCIlf thereof, the pump being constructed in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view showing the exterior of the pump looking at the same from the intake side thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the volute member in one form.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a form of volute constructed in accordance with this invention in relation to a shell member which may be used therewith.

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view, likewise fragmentary, illustrating another form of volute and shell member associated therewith.

FIGURE 6 is a further modified form of volute member, the same being shown in a fragmentary section, and illustrating certain of the desirable characteristics thereof.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of a pump construction in accordance with this invention, showing a shell member in place over the flexible or resilient volute member and themanner of maintaining the same in position.

Referring initially to FIGURES l, 2, and 3, the pump of this invention is of the centrifugal type, and is shown as being comprised of a bed 1, above which and supported thereon as by means of the bolts 2 is a bearing side cover support 3. The bearing side cover support 3 is in turn fastened at its upper end to a bearing side cover 4. The bearing side cover includes therein the necessary bearing 5, stuffing box nut 6, stuffing box packing 7 so as to receive and support therein for rotation a shaft 8.

The shaft 8 in turn supports at its end an impeller of generally conventional form and denoted 8a, the impeller being fastened to the shaft inany preferred manner. It will be understood that the shaft 8 is intended to be rotated in accordance with conventional practice and by any known means not shown.

As will be understood from the drawings, the bearing side cover 4 is a circular member and includes at its outer periphery a flange 9 thereon. At the-inner face of the bearing side cover the same may preferably be provided with a rubber or other similar material bonded to the face and indicated at 10. The said material 10 will extend as shown in the drawings over the entire face and assist in preventing abrasion of the metal from which the side cover 4 is formed.

Parallel to and spaced from the bearing side cover 4 just above described, is the suction side cover designated 11, which is a similar member to the side cover 4, being of round configuration and being provided with a flange 12 at its outer periphery. The covers 4 and 11, form what may be termed an impeller housing section, since the impeller 8a is mounted therebetween and substantially confined thereby. At the inner portion of the cover 11, is the inlet or suction sleeve section 13, which section 13- extends as shown and terminates in a flange 14, as is customary in pumps of this general class. The flange 14 may be provided with suitable bolt holes, to which a suction line may be connected as is well known, there being no such connection shown in the drawing.

The inner face of'the side cover and the interior of the suction sleeve section 11 and 13 respectively are covered with a rubber or similar material, preferably bonded thereto so as to resist the abrasive effect of the material carried by the pump.

--- the bolts 16, to the base 1 previously mentioned. It will 3 be apparent that the support 15 is suitably formed either integral with the side cover 11 or otherwise fastened thereto so as to provide rigid support therefor and proper positioning of the same with respect to the other parts of the pump including the impeller 8a and the bearing side cover 4 as previously described.

As will beunderstood from a consideration of FIG- URE 1 the flanges 9 and 12 on the respective covers 4 and 11 are intended to engage a volute or a volute member 17, which member 17 is formed with an interior relatively thick layer of rubber or similar flexible material 18, comprising a portion forming a flange 19 at one edge thereof, and a similar flange 20 opposite thereto and parallel therewith. The portion 18 is preferably of very tough abrasion resistant material and as indicated may be of rubber or suitable composition, and exterior thereto and bonded therewith are the fabric layers 21, the fabric layers 21 being equipped at portions adjacent the flanges 19 and 20 with the bead sections 22 and 23 respectively. An outer layer or covering of rubber or similar material 24 may be provided, and the whole unit molded or otherwise formed substantially along the lines of manufacture resorted to in building truck tires or the like. It will be understood of course that the flanges 19 and 20 are provided with suitable openings spaced as necessary around the flanges and indicated at 25 for fastening the said flanges as by means of the bolts 26 to the corresponding flanges 9 and 12 of the covers 4 and 11 respectively.

It should be understood that the structure above described, as comprising the volute or volute member 17, is intended to be representative, and may be formed in any preferred manner so as to provide the necessary characteristics set forth hereinafter. Primarily such characteristics will comprise a self supporting structure, formed of resilient material or flexible material and having a tough abrasion resistant surface which is capable of handling the solids and materials of other types carried by the pump. The volute 17 is formed as shown in order to permit the passage of large solids, permitting deflexion of the volute under certain conditions and yet the volute will thereafter assume its original shape and carry out its function as part of the pumping operation. It should also be clear that the volute 17 as a whole may be removed from its position as shown by removing the suction side cover 11, of course after preliminarily having disengaged the bolts and nuts 26 on the respective flanges as shown, and thereafter the volute as a whole may be slipped off of its position on the flange 9 and the flange 12.

It is also noted that the outlet section 27, is formed with the volute 17 and is of the same material from which the volute is constructed, it being apparent that the outlet piping may be connected thereto in any preferred manner not shown.

As is well known the rotation of the impeller 8a, creates the usual suction through the suction sleeve section 13 drawing materials from any source as directed by the operator, and thereafter carries the water and abrasive materials together with solid matter through the volute 17 and thence outwardly through the outlet member 27 in the usual manner. The pump as a whole is intended to be of conventional operating characteristics, improved by the provision of the novel volute member 17 which is resilient and flexible as has been explained.

Turning now to a consideration of FIGURE 4 and FIGURE 7, it will be seen that the volute 17 may be further equipped so to speak with a shell 28, of substantially similar shape, the shell 28 being comprised of a section 29 and a section '30. The sections are formed as shown in FIGURE 7 in order to provide for placement over the volute 17 and to be fastened in place by means of the bolts and nuts 31 as will be clear. The shell member 28 is formed so as to provide a chamber or space 32 between the outer surface of the volute 27 and the inner surface of the shell 28, which chamber is equipped with an inlet 33, the inlet 33 in turn being provided with suitable valve means 34 whereby fluids of various types may be introduced into the chamber 32 or permitted to be removed therefrom.

The purpose of providing the chamber 32 is to enable the application of a fluid as has been generally indicated, which may be in the form of water or other liquid, so as to form a backing so to speak for the volute 17. If water is used in the chamber 32 of course substantially more support will be provided for the volute 17, but it is also contemplated that air or other similar gas or fluid may be used in said chamber. I

In FIGURE 5 a somewhat similar arrangement as is shown in FIGURE 4 is provided. In this particular case however the shell is denoted 35, the volute 17, the shell 35 being formed of material of substantially the same characteristics as the volute 17. Furthermore the shell 35 is likewise spaced so as to form a chamber 36 between the shell 35 and volute 17, the chamber 36 being adapted to contain therein fluid admitted by means of the valve member 37 which may be of conventional form.

As will be understood from the above described construction, the volute 17 and shell 35 thus provide additional support and relative rigidity for the pump, as far as the materials being carried thereby are concerned. However the fact that the shell 35 and volute 17 are formed of relatively resilient or flexible material, provides a certain range of operating characteristics which may be required under certain circumstances. It is contemplated of course that cushioning effect provided by the fluid in the chamber 36, which may be air or under some conditions water, will enhance the flexibility of the pump as a whole. As indicated the shell 35 is substantially'the same in all respects as the volute 17, and may include a head section 38 in each side adjacent the flange portion provided.

In FIGURE 6 another modified form of volute is disclosed, in which the volute is designated 39 and includes an inner section 40, and an outer section 41. As will be understood, the respective sections 40 and 41 are connected as at 42 and 43 so as to provide a closed chamber 44 between the parts 40 and 41. The volute is like wise provided with a flange section 45 and 46 for attachment of the unit to the covers 4 and 11 as the case may be, for removal therefrom when necessary.

The provision of the chamber 44 in this particular form of volute, is to enable the introduction thereinto of air or other gaseous material by means of the valve 47 as will be understood, the chamber construction thus providing further cushioning and backing for the volute section 40 under certain conditions. It is also contemplated that other fluids such as water or the like may be introduced into the chamber 44 to provide for other conditions which may be encountered during operation of the pump.

It should be noted that in the above described form of volute and its associated parts, the construction of the same will be in general similar to that shown in describing the volute 17 originally mentioned. In other words there will be a layer of tough abrasive resistant rubber material for example in the interior thereof and the same may be backed up or otherwise formed with suitable plies of fabric. In this particular form, the parts 41 may be similarly formed and of similar material. Also the availing of the knowledge of construction of truck tires or similar pneumatic tires may be resorted to in providing the various volutes and their associated parts as will be apparent.

I claim:

1. In a pump of the class described, in combination, an impeller housing section, an impeller in said section, a shaft supporting said impeller for rotation in the section, a volute comprised of self-supporting resilient material fixed to said housing section, and a shell member enclosing said volute and fixed to the housing section, said member thereby providing a sealed space between the volute and said member, said space constituting a chamber confining a fluid, and inlet means for said space.

2. In a pump of the class described, in combination, a housing section, said housing section comprising a hearing side cover having a circular periphery and an intake side cover having a circular periphery, an impeller intermediate said covers, means for supporting said covers in alignment, and a flexible self-supporting volute member having inner peripheral portions connected to said covers and defining a chamber around said impeller whereby materials moved by said impeller will be confined therewithin and the volute member will return to its normal shape after passage of abnormal masses of such material through the pump, said volute member being provided with cushioning means comprising a secondary member enclosing a substantial portion of the periphery of the volute mem her and spaced therefrom so as to provide a fluid confining chamber.

3. In a pump of the class described, in combination, a housing section, said housing section comprising a bearing side cover having a circular periphery and an intake side cover having a circular periphery, an impeller intermediate said covers, means for supporting said covers in alignment, and a flexible self-support volute member having inner peripheral portions connected to said covers and defining a chamber around said impeller whereby materials moved by said impeller will be confined therewith- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,967,182 Allen July 17, 1934 2,110,079 Butler Mar. 1, 1938 2,672,821 Montgomery Mar. 23, 1954 2,759,428 Kirby Aug. 21, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 372,059 Great Britain May 5, 1932 544,674 Great Britain Apr. 23, 1942 555,689 Great Britain Sept. 2, 1943 OTHER REFERENCES American Hard Rubber Company (Publication), Ace Hard Rubber Centrifugal Pump, Feb. 15, 1935 (4 pages). 

